Iron fence



(Mode!.)

s. W.- MAB, TIN

Iron Pence.

NO. 243,280. Pa ten tedwlune 2, 18181.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. I

SAMUEL W'. MARTIN, OF SPRINGFIELD,.OHIO.

IRON FENCE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 243,280, dated June 21,1881.

Application filed May 7, 1881. (Model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, SAMUEL W. MARTIN, of Springfield, in the county of- Clarke and State of Ohio, have invented certain Improvements in Iron Fences, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to that class of metal fences in which vertical rods or pickets are connected to horizontal sustaining rails or stringers by means of intermediate frames or rosettes.

The invention consists, mainly, in uniting each rosette to the rail by means of a lip or flange arranged to engage over the edge of the rail into a groove therein, whereby the rosette is permitted to rock or tip upon the rail, in order to permit the pickets to remain in a vertical position when .the rails are placed at an inclination corresponding with a hillside or 0th erinclined surface, and in the peculiar manner of constructing the rosettes with interlocking edges.

Figure 1 represents a face view of one rail of my fence, the pickets secured thereto by my improved devices. Fig. 2 represents a vertical central section of the same on the line 0000. Fig. 3 represents a perspective view of one of the rosettes detached.

A represents the rail or stringer piece of the fence, which may be supported upon posts or otherwise in any suitable manner. At its upper edge the rail is provided with a continuous lip, a, on the rear side. WVith the exception of this lip, the rail may be of any suitable form in cross-section.

. B represents the vertical rods or pickets,

- and O the rosettes or clasping-plates by which they are united to the rail A. As shown in the drawings, each rosetteO consists of a skeleton-frame having an open center and two vertical edges, one of which is provided with a.

projecting lip, 0, while the other is constructed with two bars, (I and e, the latter arranged in front of the formerin such manner as to leave a vertical space or slot between them to receive the lip 0 of the adjacent rosette. Each rosette is provided on the back with a central lip or stud, f; adapted to engage over and around the lip of the rail A into the groove thereunder. The rosette being placed against the front side of the bar and its lip f engaged therewith, as shown, the rosette is held firmly against the frontof the bar. At the same time the rail is permitted to rise and fall at either end, while the rosette remains at rest, the lip fserving as a fulcrum or center, about whichthe rail moves. Each rosette is also constructed at the top and bottom with seats or bearin gs H and I, between which the rod or picket is inserted. It will be seen that the rod is thus given a solid bearing both at its front and rear sides, and secured firmly and rigidly in place within the rosette.

The rosettes are preferably constructed of malleable iron, in order that the lip f, which is preferably cast with a backward or outward curvature may be bent downward to engage over the rail; or the lip may be cast in the form shown in the drawings, in which case it will be necessary to slide it endwise upon the rail.

The pickets may bedriveu into the rosettes with a sufficient degree of tightness to be retained in place by the friction; but a key or wedge may be inserted as a means of additional security, if desired.

In. constructing the fence two or more pan allel rails will be used, and each picket provided with rosettes to engage with two or more of the rails. The rosettes will be placed upon the rail side by side, with the lip of each entering the slotted side of the next, thus establishing a connection throughout'the entire series. Under this arrangement it will be seen that the pickets are secured firmly in place upon the rails, while at the same time the rail may be given a greater or less inclination from the horizontal, as circumstances may require, without destroying the connection of the rosettes or pickets,amovement of the railmerely causing the rosettes to slide vertically one against the other, each rosette moving upon its lip f as a pivotal connection with the rail.

I am aware that it is old to construct rosettes or picket-holders with circular edges, and to secure them to the rail of the fence by means of rosettes or clips, beneath which the edges of the rosettes are arranged to slide, each rosette being secured by means of two clips.

I am also aware that it is old to construct a fence with rosettes or picket-holding devices the edges of which are serrated and arranged to interlock with each other, the construction being such that it was necessary to remove or loosen the rosettes in order to permit their vertical adjustment.

Having thus described my invention, what 1 claim is 1. In combination with a fence-rail having a longitudinal rib or lip on the rear face, a rosette or picket-holding device applied to the front of the rail, and provided with a lug engaging over and around the lip on the rail.

2. The combination,in ametal fence, of a longitudinal rail and a rosette or picket-holding device provided with acentral lug orlip engaging with the rail and serving as a pivotal connection for securing the rosette thereto, whereby the rail is permitted to change its angle with relation to the rosette.

3. The combination of the longitudinal rail and the rosettes orpicketholdin g devices having the pivotal connection with the rail and the vertical sliding connection between their edges, substantially as shown and described. 4. In a fence, the combination of a rail and a series of rosettes or picket-holding devices mounted thereon, said rosettes being constructed with vertical slotted edges and projecting lips, cooperating substantially as described and shown, whereby the rosettes are permitted to slide vertically with relation to each other withoutbeingdisconnectedfrom the rail. 5. The rosette adapted to holda fence-picket provided with the rear lip,f, the side lip, 0, and the vertical slotted edge, substantially as shown.

SAMUEL WEBB MARTIN. Witnesses GHAs. A. HARRIS, J. B. CHRISTIE. 

